WASHINGTON. Sept 8: A Republican proposal to kill the Commerce Department, which promotes US exports around the world, was approved by the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, putting the measure in position for action by the full Senate, says AP

Thursday's 5-3 vole was along party lines.

The Clinton administration said it expects the agency to survive when the battle reaches the Senate floor.

Proponents of bills to abolish Commerce say it Is a sprawling, top-heavy bureaucracy that spends more than a dlrs 4 billion a year on some 100 loosely related programmes that duplicate the work of other federal agencies.

The department conducts a wide variety of domestic and international activities, including many related to US business and investments abroad

Commerce. Secretary Ron Brown said some Republican committee members voted in favour of the measure as a courtesy tq Sen. William V. Roth Jr. the panel chairman and chief sponsor.

"I'm confident there will

be a Commerce Department basically in the same form." Brown told reporters. "We will Still be iQ business and likely stronget than ever."

He said the proposal to dismantle the agency is symbolic "trophy hunting' and is "absolutely ludicrous" because it would mean there would be no voice in Ihe Cabinet defending the Interests of the business community.

The plan to eliminate the Commerce Department would preserve some of Its parts, shifting offices to other federal departments.

The Governmental Affairs Comini Hee defeated amendments aimed at keeping the department intact.

Democrats said Glenn's bill could be a vehicle for preserving the department when the time comes for a floor vote.

House Republicans are pushing similar measures they say would save tax payers about 8 billion dollars over the next five years.

Roth said. The people want a government that works l>etter and costs less. The time has come to take the bold and decisive action needed to fulfill that mandate "